A dramatic day of testimony took place on Friday at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hearing. Former FirstEnergy executive Dennis Chack took the stand—his first public testimony—detailing behind‑the‑scenes discussions that helped shape Ohio’s biggest bribery scandal.
Chack described a key gathering at former PUCO chair Sam Randazzo’s Florida home in April 2019, attended by then‑FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones, CFO Steve Strah, subsidiary head John Skory, and himself. “There was discussion about House Bill 6, discussion about the SEET (significantly excessive earnings) test, and the discussion about DMR (distribution modernization rider),” Chack testified.
House Bill 6 ultimately funneled a $1.3 billion bailout to FirstEnergy’s nuclear plants. At the same time, the SEET and DMR provisions safeguarded the company from financial accountability—even though audits later revealed FirstEnergy struggled to track the DMR surcharge funds.
Pressed on whether the meeting veered into whether Randazzo could influence PUCO decisions, Chack replied, “I don’t know if it did or it didn’t.” Yet he recalled, “Chuck asked us to go outside; he wanted to talk to Sam in private.”
Chack also revealed a text exchange from Jones referring to Randazzo’s sway within PUCO: “Does he work there or for us?”
Although Chack insisted his involvement was limited, legislators and law enforcement see it as part of a systemic corruption network.
State Rep. Scott Wiggam—one of the few GOP legislators who defended HB 6—echoed lingering public unease: “I worked hard to reform it, focusing on clean energy generation in Ohio.” Other Republicans, however, condemned the scheme. Gov. Mike DeWine —who had initially championed HB 6—later called for Householder’s ouster and denounced the process as “forever tainted.”
On the law enforcement side, U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers labeled the conspiracy “likely the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the state of Ohio”.
After entering a deferred prosecution agreement, FirstEnergy admitted to bribing PUCO officials and funneling funds through dark‑money groups like Generation Now.
Federal prosecutions have already led to convictions: former Speaker Larry Householder received a 20‑year sentence for orchestrating the scheme, while GOP leader Matt Borges is serving five years. Former PUCO chair Randazzo, accused of accepting $4.3 million in bribes, reportedly died by suicide in April 2024.
At the hearing, Chack denied conflicts of interest tied to his daughter’s consulting firm, DMA Consulting, which received nearly $528,000 from companies linked to indicted political consultant George—funds described in FirstEnergy internal memos as “a conflict of interest”. He insisted no contract was executed.
Ohio Manufacturers’ Association counsel Kim Bojko questioned Chack directly: “This contract’s not the $44,000?” Chack responded firmly, “It is, but it’s not for — it was never put in place.”
From the perspective of law enforcement, the case stands as a cautionary tale. A federal appeals court recently upheld Householder’s conviction, affirming that FirstEnergy executives conspired to shape legislation via illicit means, then attempted to silence dissent through a scheme of dark‑money funding.
As Chack recounted his experience, the ripple effects were clear: Regulations meant to balance energy interests were manipulated to shield corporate profits. Elected officials are now considering how to strengthen anti‑corruption safeguards in Ohio’s regulatory process.
When considering the entire story, there are a few takeaways. First, voters call for stricter oversight of utility companies and the political officials who may influence energy policy. Second, proposals are underway to ban dark‑money groups from influencing regulatory decisions and increase transparency in utility‑rate proceedings. Third, prosecutors have demonstrated that even high‑ranking officials and major corporations can face consequences for pay‑to‑play schemes.
As FirstEnergy officials finally break their silence, their testimony shines a spotlight on a complex web of corporate lobbying, political influence, and regulatory capture in Ohio. For Ohioans, the scandal extends far beyond HB 6—it raises profound questions about the integrity of government and the need for unwavering vigilance.
With billions at stake in energy politics, the public deserves clarity on whether elected officials and regulatory bodies serve the people—or powerful corporate interests. This hearing marks a critical moment in Ohio’s reckoning—and a push toward restoring trust, yet most observers believe this must only be the start and not seen as the finish line.
